The 2025 college football season has already produced its first major shakeups. Over the weekend both Virginia Tech and UCLA made swift moves to fire their head coaches after rough 0 and 3 starts. Brent Pry was let go in Blacksburg after a crushing home loss to Old Dominion. DeShaun Foster’s tenure in Westwood came to an end following a stunning 35 to 10 defeat to New Mexico inside the Rose Bowl.
The Bruins’ decision sent shockwaves through college football. Foster, a former UCLA star, was in just his second season leading the program. Now the search begins for a figure who can stabilize and elevate a proud brand that has fallen flat out of the gate.
Colorado coach Deion Sanders and company walking over to the UCLA sideline. pic.twitter.com/nYSeYW4PiR
— James H. Williams | USA Today (@JHWreporter) October 28, 2023
Oddsmakers quickly turned the spotlight toward possible successors. Jon Gruden emerged as the favorite, but the name generating the most national buzz is Deion Sanders. Coach Prime is listed just behind Gruden and is considered a serious contender to take over in Los Angeles. His larger than life persona could make him a natural fit in a market built on star power.
Sanders’ presence on the board underscores how dramatic the Bruins’ search could become. While other names like Kenny Dillingham, Justin Wilcox and Tommy Rees also surfaced, none command the attention Sanders does. UCLA faces pressure to make a hire that resonates both on the field and in the entertainment capital of the country.
For now an interim coach will guide the Bruins, but the focus is already fixed on what comes next. If UCLA truly wants to make a splash, the possibility of Coach Prime in blue and gold will remain the headline story.
BetOnline.ag Odds for UCLA Next Head Coach
- Jon Gruden 4 to 1
- Deion Sanders 5 to 1
- Kenny Dillingham 6 to 1
- Justin Wilcox 8 to 1
- Tommy Rees 10 to 1
- Dave Aranda 12 to 1
- Jimbo Fisher 12 to 1
- Jon Sumrall 14 to 1
- Ryan Silverfield 16 to 1
- Alex Golesh 18 to 1
- Curt Cignetti 18 to 1
- Brent Key 20 to 1
- Tony White 20 to 1
- D’Anton Lynn 22 to 1
- Jeff Brohm 25 to 1
- Lane Kiffin 25 to 1
- Kalani Sitake 28 to 1
- Dave Doeren 33 to 1
- GJ Kinne 33 to 1
- Matt Campbell 38 to 1
- Willie Fritz 38 to 1
- Brian Newberry 40 to 1
- Kyle Whittingham 40 to 1
- Dabo Swinney 45 to 1
- Dan Lanning 45 to 1
- Marcus Freeman 50 to 1
- Ryan Day 50 to 1
- Nick Saban 66 to 1
- Urban Meyer 66 to 1
- Pete Carroll 75 to 1
- Troy Aikman 80 to 1
- Rick Neuheisel 100 to 1
BetOnline.ag Odds for Virginia Tech Next Head Coach
- Jon Gruden 4 to 1
- Shane Beamer 5 to 1
- Justin Wilcox 6 to 1
- Ryan Silverfield 7 to 1
- Alex Golesh 8 to 1
- Will Stein 10 to 1
- Jimbo Fisher 12 to 1
- Charles Huff 14 to 1
- Jon Sumrall 14 to 1
- Brian Newberry 16 to 1
- Bob Chesney 18 to 1
- Willie Fritz 18 to 1
- Dave Doeren 20 to 1
- GJ Kinne 20 to 1
- Deion Sanders 22 to 1
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